Mitsune blends traditional Japanese folk with the wild and innovative sounds of psychedelic, cinematic and ritual music, crafting original compositions that breathe new life into ancient narratives. Led by a duo of female shamisen players, accompanied with percussion and bass, the Berlin-based 4-piece serves modern folklore with driving beats, raw emotion, and decadent costume design. With its multicultural tapestry of musicians from Japan, Australia and Greece, Mitsune has attracted attention worldwide, with praise from publications like Rolling Stone and Songlines magazine ("consistently excellent", "an ensemble with an ocean of potential"). Their 2022 album Hazama entered the Transglobal World Music Chart's Top 10 and was nominated for the German Record Critic's Prize, and a follow-up is set for release in 2024.

The heart and soul of Mitsune is the Tsugaru shamisen, a 3-stringed Japanese lute once favoured by blind folks and itinerant musicians of olden Japan. Mitsune both honours and modernises shamisen tradition, conveying folklore imagery, personal and cultural stories and raw emotion through this ancient instrument. They perform reimagined Japanese folk songs and original compositions filled with virtuosity, driving beats and wild group vocals. On stage, Mitsune delivers a visual and sartorial feast, where tradition meets avant-garde, their shows spiced with an ever-present sense of joy and fantasy.

“Since their inception, the group have cultivated a sense of maturity that shines on their sophomore album Hazama, which exudes confidence, energy and creativity.. Fun and eclectic, while maintaining a strong sense of identity, Hazama is a fantastic second release from an ensemble with an ocean of creative potential.” - Songlines Magazine, 2022

“Mitsune have carved out a unique niche thanks to their respect for the tradition and for the open-minded approach that led to the creation of this startlingly original music.”- Rock N Reel Magazine, 2022

“Through their vocal harmonies and use of traditional instruments..the outfit delivers immersive performances across the record.” - Rolling Stone India, 2022

“consistently excellent. If you need a contemporary introduction to the world of Tsugaru shamisen, this is it.” - Songlines Magazine, 2019